The adult coloring craze doesn’t show signs of stopping in Freeport.

As this fast-growing hobby continues to gain popularity, the Freeport Community Library will be hosting an adult coloring group that will meet every Wednesday morning starting this week.

“Lots of public libraries are now starting and giving people opportunities to do it as a group and sort of make it more of a social event where people can enjoy coloring together,” said Belinda Stewart, an event coordinator at the library. “So we’re just providing local residents the space and coloring sheets and what they need to get together … it’s a social event and a relaxation event.”

This past holiday season, adult coloring books have climbed to the top of the New York Times best-seller list for games and activities, said Stewart. She also shared her thoughts on this trendy pastime.

“The creators of these coloring books have definitely tapped into an intrinsic gratification that people are getting out of doing this, and I think to some extent, some people are looking for simple, creative outlets,” she said on Monday. “Some people are looking at opportunities to slow down their pace of life, and I think some people, they loved coloring in their childhood … but now they have their own coloring books that are intricate and interesting.”

Stewart said the library is always on the look out for activities that will interest “a new group of people,” whether it’s through author visits, speakers and groups like this.

“We’re always looking … to provide the local community with opportunities to use our library and to join other people in doing fun and interesting things together,” she said.

Stewart expected that the group would be well-attended until the weather starts improving.

“I’m guessing that when nice weather comes, people will want to be outside more than inside, so it’s maybe something that people gravitate toward more when they’re not gardening and not going to the beach and those types of things,” she said. “It may wane over the summer months and then pick back up at the end of next fall, so we’ll see.”

The group will meet for the first time tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the Freeport Community Library on 10 Library Dr. The library will provide materials, including coloring book pages, colored pencils and crayons, though participants can also bring their own, said Stewart.

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